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Dawgs embracing their heightened expecations

After entering last season with hopes of making a deep postseason run, Columbia Academy was hit with the harsh reality of a 55-point loss to South Pittsburg in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs.

Since that loss, the Bulldogs saw their coach Mike Mizer resign and get replaced by assistant coach Charlie Lansdell, who realized something had to change if CA was going to be able to have lengthy stays in the playoffs.

“I think it was an eye opener for everyone to see what we needed to do and where we needed to be come playoff time,” Lansdell said. “South Pittsburg didn’t accomplish that without hard work and extra time by going the extra mile.”

The expectations are certainly high again this season with so many players returning for the Bulldogs.

“We do have a lot of talent, but the challenge is are these guys just getting a year older or are they getting better,” Lansdell said. “We have a lot of guys that are coming back and we do have a lot of talent, but our main focus is trying to improve. We’re ready to take that next step and we recognize that we have to improve on what we are trying to do.”

One area that will be hard to improve on is the play of quarterback Jackson Cary, who had a standout season completing 200-of-327 passes for 2,827 yards with 29 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

“It’s definitely a luxury to have someone with his abilities,” Lansdell said. “He doesn’t just have the athletic ability, he also has a good football mind. He understands the game and what we are trying to accomplish. That’s probably what I’ve been most impressed with is his football knowledge.”

Four of Cary’s top five targets are returning led by Taylor Thompson, who had 47 catches for 691 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

“Those two guys have kind of gelled together so well,” Lansdell said. “It’s almost like they know what the other one is thinking.”

“These guys have worked really hard in the passing game,” Lansdell said. “It’s definitely not a one-man show here. We have more than one guy capable of making the big play when they need to.”

The running back rotation will feature several players, including Hudson Primm, Ethan Foster, Mt. Pleasant transfer Rhett Heflin and Thornton. Foster is the top returning rusher with 213 yards and two touchdowns, while Primm ran for 210 yards and a TD.

“I’ve got four capable backs,” Lansdell said. “That’s also another luxury to have, so that we can rest guys more this year.”

While the offense has numerous skill players, the key to the Bulldogs repeating or improving on their average of 32 points per game will be the play of the line anchored by senior Hooper Johnson.

“It doesn’t matter how good our skill players are,” Lansdell said. “If we don’t have blocking up front, we’re not going to get it done.”

Joining Johnson in the trenches will be Nick Hayes, Michael Thomas, Nathan Williams and Jalen Anderson

“They are going to be a huge factor for us,” Lansdell said. “It is really going to depend upon them. We’ve kind of made them aware that they are what makes our offense work.”

Defensively, the Bulldogs are desperate to shore things up after allowing 33.8 points and 420.4 yards per game.

The defensive front is led by Alex Coley, Thornton, Johnson and Anderson, while Primm, Shires and Heflin are heading the linebacking corps. The defensive backfield will be led by Garrison, Thompson and Foster, who is making the switch from linebacker.

“We are kind of switching guys around,” Lansdell said. “We recognized that we struggled a little bit defensively and so we’re changing a lot of things.”

The dissolution of Region 6-A into District 11-A and District 12-A has left CA playing just three district games and those games will all be played by Oct. 4, which will leave the Bulldogs finishing their season with four non-district games.

“I really don’t focus on that,” Lansdell said. “We have made a commitment to take it one game at a time.”

Despite the unique setup of the schedule, Lansdell is confident his team will be up to the task.

“There are high expectations here and I have high expectations, too,” Lansdell said. “I know that we have to take it one game at a time because that’s the only way we can do it. We have a lot of the kids that have committed and bought in.”

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